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Editorial Guidelines

What We Publish

Science and the Big Questions. Works that relate to new ideas and research about basic forces, concepts, and realities governing the universe and humankind’s place in it. Templeton Press welcomes submissions from all areas of scientific inquiry and different spiritual, cultural, and philosophical traditions.

The Virtues. Works from a scientific and/or inspirational approach that integrate the universal qualities of character such as honesty, thrift, forgiveness, kindness, humility, joy, love, self-reliance, altruism, perseverance, creativity, curiosity, generosity, gratitude, wisdom, and purpose.

Health and Spirituality. Works that integrate spirituality and religion with health and medicine. Templeton Press has published works on topics including mental health, aging, palliative care, parish nursing, and patient care for health care and spiritual care professionals, academics, and educators.

Freedom and Free Markets. Works on topics such as financial literacy, investments, thrift, global development, political philosophy, and current events.

Guidelines for Submitting a Book Proposal

Please mail your proposal along with a cover letter (indicate whether you would like your submission returned and, if so, include a self-addressed, stamped envelope) and your curriculum vitae.

Proposals must be submitted according to the following instructions.

Author Information. Name, mailing address, daytime phone number, and e-mail address. Enclose a current vita that indicates your present position, educational background, previous publications, and why you are qualified to write the book you are proposing.

Title of the Book. Indicate the tentative title of the book with possible alternative titles.

Description of the Book. In 250–500 words, summarize the book you are proposing. What is the nature, focus, purpose, or argument of the book? What is its thesis? Write the summary as if it were on the back cover of the book convincing a potential reader to buy this book. What unique contributions to the subject does this manuscript provide?

Audience. For what audience, specifically, is the book written: lay persons? pastors, or other religious professionals? college students? seminary/graduate school students? professors? Why does someone need to read this book? Does the book have potential for textbook adoption? If so, in what courses?

Competition. Are there competing titles? If so, what are they? What does your book offer that these competing titles do not? How will your book be superior to or different from them?

Table of Contents. Give a tentative table of contents of the book by chapters. Beneath each chapter title, give a brief outline of the chapter and a brief summary of its contents. This summary should explain the focus and development of the chapter and indicate how the chapter advances the argument of the whole book.

Manuscript Length. What is the estimated length of the proposed manuscript, printed double-spaced on 8½” x 11” paper with 1” margins?

Sample Pages. Enclose a sample of 15–25 pages, perhaps of the introduction and the first chapter, which illustrates your writing style. These should be pages that are typical of the book as a whole, especially critical to your argument, potentially controversial, or that give an overview of the book.

Manuscript Submission. If your proposal is accepted and a complete manuscript requested, you should plan to submit a hard copy of the manuscript, double-spaced and formatted for easy readability, together with an electronic copy saved as a Microsoft Word document.

Completion Date. Indicate the date you would expect to submit a completed manuscript.

Please be aware that Templeton Press does not generally publish works of fiction or poetry.

Proposal Submissions. To submit a hard copy of the proposal, send it to:

To submit a proposal electronically, please enter your contact information below and upload a copy of your CV and your book proposal.

Please follow the guidelines above, and do not send a full manuscript. If you would like your proposal sent back to you, you may include a self-addressed and stamped envelope with your submission. However, we cannot guarantee the return of your proposal.